Knockdown case.



F. A. & B.. BBBOUT & J. R. INGLIS.

K-HOGKDOWN OASE.

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 0 997,894. Patented July 11, 1911.

2 EEEEEEEEEEEE 1.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FERDINAND A. BEBOUT, ROBERT BEIBUT, AND JOHN R. INGLIS, 0F MADISON, INDIANA.

KNOCKDOWN CASE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 11, 1911.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that we, FERDINAND A. BE- noU'r, Ronm BEoU'r, and JOHN R. INGLIs, citizens of the United States, residing at Madison, in t-he county of Jefferson and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Knockdown Cases, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to cases and more especially to a case of this character Which is adapted to be taken apart and packed to occupy a small space when being shipped.

An object of the invention in connection with the foregoing, is to provide a durable and efficient structure which will positively protect eggs against breakage and which will withstand inclemency of Weather.

A further and particular object is to provide a novelly constructed case and novel means for slidably connecting the parts of the same so that they may be readily detached or assembled when desired.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain other combinations and arrangements of parts to be hereinafter more fully described, it being understood that certain minor changes may be made within the scope of the claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Figure 'l is a perspective view of our improved case, Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof with the top removed, Fig. 3 is an end view of the case, F ig. 4 is a detail perspective view of one of the longitudinal connecting plates for the sides and top or bottom of the case; Fig. 5 is a similar view of the connecting plates for the corners of the case, Fig. 6 is a similar view of the central partition, attached plates and one connecting plate which is adapted to be secured to one side.

Referring to the drawings in which like characters denote similar parts throughout the several views, 10 designates the top of the case and 11 the bottom thereof, said to and bottom being provided with the longitudinal plates 12 dis osed along the longitudinal edges thereo and bent in angular form so that they may be secured in a proper manner as disclosed. The plates 12 are provided with the depending tongues 13 which are of less length than the plates proper and are bent upwardly for engagement with the groove portions 14 formed upon the outer ends of the plates 15 secured to the sides 16 adjacent their upper and lower edges, and of the same length as the depending tongues 13. The ends 17 of the case have grooved plates 18 secured adjacent the sides thereof and the grooved portions 19 thereof extend beyond said sides and are ada ted for en` gagement with the tongues 20 fbrmed upon the plates 21 which are secured vertically to the ends of the sides 16 and are formed by bending the projecting ends inwardly twice so as to engage the grooved tongues 19, so that said ends may be slid vertically in taking the case apart. By this construction the ends are adapted to fit between the sides so that a central partition 22 may be properly disposed between the side walls of the case. This central partition has plates 23 secured upon opposite faces thereof adjacent the edges thereof and are provided with inturned portions 24 adapted to engage the grooved portions 25 of the plates 26 which are secured in spaced relation vertically of the inner faces of the sides 16, so that said partition may also be removed vertically to separate the sections of the case. The ends 17 are also provided with hooks 27 which are .adapted to engage suitable pins 28 secured to the bottom of the case, to retain said parts in position and to withstand a portion of the strain thereon, and grips 29 are also secured to the ends 17 and provided with receiving portions 30 for the hands in lifting the case.

It will be apparent that the case may be readily taken apart after use and may be conveniently packed to occupy a small space for shipment and is therefore yvery advantageous for use by dealers in eggs, as they may be stamped with the firm name which will always insure the proper return of the cases.

It is obvious that the case may be put to numerous uses to which it may be applied, although it is es ecially desirable as a shipping box as set orth.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is:

1. A knockdown case comprising a bottom and a top, angular plates secured to the longitudinal edges and outer faces longitudinally of the top and bottom and provided with depending portions of less length than the plates and bent inwardly to form tongues, sides fitted between the top and bottom plates secured lto the outer faces of the sides and provided with outwardly turned tongues adapted to be engaged by the depending portions and being of similar length as said portions, ends fitted between the top, bottom and sides, plates secured vertically of the ends at their edges and having outturned portions forming grooves, plates secured to the sides vertically at their end ortions beyond the depending portions and ent to engage the grooves in the end plates and means carried by the ends to engage the bottom whereby the top may be removed from the remainlng portions of the case.

2. A knockdown case comprising a bottom and top, longitudinal plates provided at the edges thereof and formed with reduced extensions bent to form tongues, said extensions being centrally located and forming recesses at the ends of the plates Within the area of the top and bottom, sides having plates secured thereto and provided with receiving grooves engaged by the tongues, said plates also being of a length equal to the length of the extensions and adapted for longitudinal engagement therewith, plates' secured vertically of the sides and extending into the recesses, end panels having plates slidably engaged vertically with the vertical side plates, a central partition provided with inturned engaging tongues at its vertical edges and upon opposite sides thereof, plates secured to the inner faces of each side and having inturned ends spaced apart to form grooves for engagement by said last mentioned tongues of the partition in a vertical position, means for anchorin the ends to the bottom and handles there or.

In testimony whereof We affix our signatures, in presence of two witnesses. r

FERDINAND A. BEBOUT. ROBERT BEBOUT. JOHN R. INGLIS.

Witnesses:

R. S. IRELAND, DAVID W. JOHNSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C." 

